(Jamaica Gleaner) The Jamaican Bar Association (JAMBAR) says the Government should seriously consider a proposal by dancehall artiste Mr Vegas for a ban on pillion riders on motorcycles.
In a media release on Sunday, JAMBAR said it noted justice minister Delroy Chuck’s push for an increase in mandatory minimum sentences for persons convicted of murder.
However, JAMBAR said increasing the sentences will not address the real issue given the “abysmally low” crime-solving rate.
“A more worthy parliamentary debate would be to consider whether motorcycles should be barred from carrying pillion riders, a proposal from dancehall artist Mr Vegas,” it said.
“Of course, it can be tweaked: for example, no male pillion or no adult pillion or institute restrictions based on engine size. These measures have been adopted with good outcomes by other countries such as Colombia. We should explore them,” JABAR continued.
The association noted that robberies and murders by motorcycle assailants have been on the rise.
It pointed to the recent murder of paralegal Sandra Risden in rush hour traffic as the latest example.
In the meantime, JAMBAR said there is little point in giving murder convicts longer sentences if they can continue to run their criminal enterprise from behind prison walls.
“Increased random searches of lock-ups and prison cells and investing and deploying crime-fighting technology through cameras and other monitoring devices would address this recurring issue in our prisons and lockups. This may also help to reassure potential witnesses and prevent crime,” JAMBAR said.
The association also stated that allocation of additional resources for a more complete network of cameras and increasing the data storage and archival capacity of Jamaica Eye should be prioritised.
The continued and increased investments in the investigative capacity of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and in upgrading the Police Training College to offer degrees in criminal justice and crime fighting are other initiatives that should be explored, it said.